"What's the Difference? A Guide to Understanding Training vs Consultancy Services"
- elevatedtrainingco
- Mar 23, 2024
- 4 min read
When business owners run into challenges that they’re not sure how to address—or know they can’t resolve on their own—they often start looking outside their organisations for expertise and resources. Two common places to look are consultants and trainers.
But what is the difference?
While the terms “consultant” and “trainer” are sometimes used interchangeably, they represent distinct roles.
Consultants: Analyse the current situation and provide recommendations. Implementation of these recommendations may or may not be their responsibility.
Trainers: Their focus is on sharing information and teaching practical skills. They help learners gain mastery and apply knowledge, although they typically do not assess the business situation beforehand.
Remember, consultants strategise, while trainers empower learners! 🌟
How do you make the right choice?
Step 1 - Identify the Problem Type
As a business owner, seeking the right assistance is crucial, but, before you start to look for outside services, it's important that you identify the type of problem you have:
SYSTEMS Problem: If you’re dealing with processes, workflows, or technology hiccups, focus on system optimisation or perhaps consider implementing new tools.
TRAINING Problem: When it comes to skill gaps or knowledge deficiencies within your team, training is the key. Think workshops, courses, and skill-building sessions.
MANAGEMENT Problem: Leadership challenges, decision-making, and organisational structure fall under management. Need to fine-tune team dynamics or strategic planning? You’re in the management zone.
Step 2 - Engage the Right Specialist for the Job
If it's a SYSTEMS Problem: The best person to contact for assistance with changing, creating or implementing new systems is most likely a consultant with operational experience in your sector. However, if you are looking for smaller scale changes or looking to learn from how others have addressed the same issues, a trainer with experience in that content area is often just as effective, but often less expensive than a consultant.
If it's a TRAINING Problem: The logical step is to seek a skilled trainer. Not all organisations have the resources or necessity for a full-time trainer. In such cases, it’s common for departmental managers to step in and conduct training for their teams. However, unless all managers are capable and equipped with the right skills to deliver training, there is a risk that the delivery and quality of training is inconsistent leading to confusion among different teams.
If it's a MANAGEMENT Problem: This will depend on the finer details of your problem, many times management problems develop because managers themselves are inexperienced and may not have received any training on how to manage effectively. In this case, leadership training for your managers may be an appropriate next step and therefore, a trainer with leadership experience is your best choice. You may also want to consider Coaching or Mentoring for managers who are inexperienced or lacking in confidence. Have a look at our Coaching vs Mentoring blog to make sure you understand the difference between the two.
Alternatively, if your management problems are due to strategic planning, decision making or reviewing organisational structures, you will need to invest in a consultant and possibly a trainer to assist you in the implementation phase.
Key Takeaway's
Understanding your objectives for the partnership can guide you in selecting the most suitable external expert for your current organizational needs.
A trainer imparts knowledge and hones particular abilities.
A consultant evaluates circumstances and provides recommendations.
Identifying the core issue is an excellent initial move, but, if you are unsure where your problem sits, a Consultant can analyse the situation and offer you advice, allowing you to explore the right avenue for your specific needs! 🌟👔💡
At Elevated Training & Consultancy Services, we offer Training & Consultancy services, plus Coaching and Mentoring opportunities. Everything we do is carried out in line with our company ethos, values and promises:
"We will always put our clients’ interests ahead of our own and ensure all services offered are both cost-effective and appropriate for your business needs."
To demonstrate our commitment to our values and company ethos, we offer every new client, a one-hour online introductory session which is FREE of charge. During this time, we will listen to your needs and suggest the most cost effective solutions we can offer you. We’re excited to offer you a session that’s completely free of any obligation or underlying agendas. It’s an opportunity for us to demonstrate our capabilities and for you to see first hand how we can contribute to your success. Afterward, the decision to collaborate further is entirely in your hands. We look forward to showing you what we can achieve together and if this sounds good to you, you can book this by clicking the 'book now' button below.
We are committed to offering services to our clients, which are free of gimmicks or relentless marketing; via sales calls, text messages and emails. We want you to choose to work with us because you believe we are the right cultural fit for your company and not because we've bombarded you with hard sales tactics (who wants or needs that in today's busy world?!).
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